SPOILER ALERT! If you love this classic carol, look away now...

One of my colleagues sent me this link today, which contains a harsh assessment of 'Away in a manger':

http://servicemusic.org.uk/spoofs/away.htm

The Docetic heresy was the belief that Jesus Christ was simply God in human form, rather than being truly human (as well as divine). In other words, this heresy states that Jesus was a bit like Superman: he looked human, until he opened his shirt and you saw the big yellow S. Superman wasn't an ordinary human being, he just looked like one. Christians believe, however, that Jesus didn't simply look human, he actually was human. He felt fear, pain and joy; he wept; he had a frail human body and lived within human limitations. How he was also divine is perhaps the central mystery of the Christian faith.

(When I found out what the Docetic heresy was a couple of years ago, I realised I'd been an accidental Docetist for years. Superman Jesus is just easier to get your head round).

My favourite line of David Lee's brilliant spoof is this:

'Bless all our nice tinsel and glittery stuff,

And fit us for Christmas while you're sleeping rough.'

It leaves me with the uncomfortable feeling that when I'm sitting at home, warm and well-fed, with friends and presents around me, I'm missing the point somewhat.

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